Page 23 of The Other Room

I slid into my stool beside her and pulled out my wallet. “Whatever you want.”

She arched a brow. “Anything?”

“Yep. Anything.”

“Well, in that case, can you order me a cabin without a pain-in-the-ass roommate?”

“How about a cabin with an unbelievably handsome, hilariously funny, devastatingly charming guy who makes a mean side of bacon. Oh wait! You have that, you lucky son of a bitch.” I grinned, trying to ease the tension between us more.

Jo closed her eyes and squeezed them tight, a deep breath lifting the shoulders covered by the black leather jacket she loved and had worn for years. “Damn it. I’m supposed to be forgiving you or something and I can’t stop my mouth from making snarky comments.”

“I’ve always loved your snarky comments. Granted they normally weren’t aimed at me but some other poor chump who’d pissed you off, but I can take it. Fire away.”

When she looked at me, regret churned inside her eyes. “I’m trying. Honestly, I am. It’s just going to take a little time to stop my forked tongue from spitting out insults at you since it’s been all I’ve done for over a year. Habits die hard.”

“Why the change of heart?” I asked. “Why are you ready to try to forgive me?”

Her face tightened, and she turned away with a slight shake of her head. “Just something Jenna said today when she stopped in at JJ’s.”

“Oh, yeah? So, I have Jenna to thank for the reduction in glares? What did she say?”

A pink flush crept up into her cheeks while she pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “No biggie. Just... she just said it’s time to forgive you. I mean, we’re stuck living together, so I’m going to at least try.”

“Thank you. I won’t fuck up again. I promise. Me and these luscious lips are gonna keep far away from Jake’s lady, and I’ll definitely never betray you by making out with your guy, so you’re safe.”

She chuckled and rolled her eyes. “We’ll see.”

“Well, unless you date Henry Cavill. I may be a straight dude, but even I have a bit of a mancrush on him. I mean, seriously. Have you seen that guy’s abs?” I jokingly bit the back of my closed fist and moaned. “I’d fight you for him.”

“Would you shut up!” Her small smile started to widen. “You’re terrible.”

As we exchanged a little laughter that started to feel natural, the bartender arrived in front of us. “Hey, Jo.”

“Hey, Angie. Can I get a beer? Do you have Door County Brewery’s Pallet Jack?”

“Absolutely. And for your... date?” The blonde bartender raised a brow as her gaze slid to me.

Jo’s head shook so hard I worried it may fly off and roll down the Sister Bay hill. “God, no. Not a date,” she said, and even though I hadn’t expected a date, for some reason the intense denial stung a little. “This is Matt. He’s my... roommate.”

Roommate. I could handle that. Better than “this guy I hate.”

Angie’s eyes lit up and narrowed into seductive slants while she leaned on the bar in front of me, as if Jo’s rejection just opened a door she intended to waltz on through. “And what are you having... roommate Matt?”

Not wanting anything to do with the pretty young thing batting her thick eyelashes at me, I crossed my arms and leaned back. “I’ll have what Jo’s having.”

“You got it, hun.” With a quick wink she turned and walked away.

Jo rolled her eyes and snorted. “Some things never change.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I leaned forward on the bar and craned my neck to get into her line of sight.

“You. Girls. They’re always throwing themselves at you. It’s obnoxious.”

“Obnoxious?” I laughed. “Well, I can say the same about you and guys. How many times have I had to toss gropey guys out of the bar for you?”

“Whatever.” She shrugged. “I can handle touchy randoms myself.”

“No doubt about that, but I’ve always been happy to come to your rescue. Now, the question is, if this bartender gets too handsy with me, are you going to save me and toss her down the hill?”